Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Revelation+002

 

Chapter2 (ESV)

1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

 

REFLECTION:

  1. Tradition says that John moved to Ephesus some 40 years before Revelation was written. He maintained close contact with Christian communities in the seven major cities of the area. Undoubtedly the issues each letter touches on were real at the time John wrote. Yet they are also representative of churches of every place and time. It is helpful to look at each and to see how its characteristics fit our own experience, and apply the warnings and corrections John conveyed.
  2. Think about your own church. In what ways is it similar to the church at Ephesus?
  3. Now, focus on the relationship between you and the Lord. How does v4 speak to you? Have you walked away from the Lord? How can you regain that first love? What have distracted you from the Lord? In what areas should you repent?
  4. If you haven’t walked away from your first love, how do you continue to be faithful and in love with God?

 

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, I thank You for Your unwavering love for me. But I often forsake my first love for You, and Your rebuke to the church in Ephesus is also a rebuke to me. Please remind me often that I will love You all my life.

 

HYMN:
From the Inside Out – youtu.be/4Ke37l7lpBs